New York CityPASS®: Save up to 41% at 5 Top Attractions

New York CityPASS is a smart way to tackle the city’s biggest sights without buying every ticket separately. For $154 per person, you get five attractions over nine days, including the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and three more from a useful list of landmarks, museums, and cruises.

I like the mobile app and flexible reservations, which keep tickets, time slots, and attraction details in one place. I also like the Empire State Building bonus: you can visit once by day and return that same night for general admission. The catch is that the pass forces you to include the Empire State Building and Natural History Museum, even if those are not high on your list.

Key points at a glance

• Five major attractions for $154: The pass can save up to 41% when you use it for several full-price sights.
• Nine consecutive days: Your validity begins with the first attraction you visit, not necessarily the day you buy the pass.
• Two fixed attractions: The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are included automatically.
• Three flexible choices: Pick from Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Statue City Cruises, Circle Line, Intrepid, and the Guggenheim.
• Useful mobile app: Download the My CityPASS app to access QR-code tickets, reserve time slots, and manage attraction details.
• One important limitation: Statue City Cruises does not include Crown Tickets or Pedestal Access.

How the nine-day CityPASS works

You receive a mobile voucher, then use the My CityPASS app or my.citypass.com to access the actual attraction tickets. At each stop, present the ticket on your phone for scanning. Some attractions require a reservation, so check the app before setting your daily schedule.

The pass remains valid for nine consecutive days from first activation. That gives you room to spread out the big sights instead of racing from one attraction to another in two packed days. It also helps if weather affects an observation deck or if you need to shift a museum visit.

You are buying admission to five attractions, not unlimited entry. Most attractions allow one-time entry unless a specific benefit says otherwise. The Empire State Building is the exception worth remembering: its AM/PM Experience includes daytime admission and bonus same-night general admission.

The app is one of the strongest parts of the arrangement. You can see your tickets in one place, reserve available time slots, and in many cases adjust dates or times. Do not confuse the booking voucher with the final ticket. Download the actual CityPASS app before you arrive, and save screenshots of your QR codes in case your phone connection is weak.

Empire State Building, day and night

The Empire State Building is one of the two required attractions, and it gives you the classic New York view from the 86th Floor Observatory. Your admission also includes the second-floor museum, where you can learn more about the building and its place in New York’s story.

The best feature here is the bonus return visit. Use the pass once during the day, then come back the same evening for general admission. Daylight gives you a clear sense of Manhattan’s size and street plan. At night, the city becomes a field of lights, and the same viewpoint feels entirely different.

This option is especially valuable if you have a flexible evening. You do not need to choose between a daytime view and a night view, and you do not pay for the second visit. Check the same-day rule carefully, since the bonus entry is tied to your daytime visit.

The drawback is simple: if you have visited the Empire State Building before, you may not want to use one of your five attractions on it again. The pass does not let you swap out this required stop. For a first visit to New York, though, it is a sensible inclusion.

American Museum of Natural History and its ticketed add-on

The American Museum of Natural History is the second fixed attraction. Admission covers the permanent museum halls, with more than 40 galleries. You can see the broad collection at your own pace, but this is not a quick stop. Give yourself several hours if you want more than a walk through the most famous rooms.

The CityPASS also includes a choice of one ticketed add-on, based on availability. You may choose a special exhibition, the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, a giant-screen film, or the Hayden Planetarium Space Show.

That choice adds real value, but availability matters. Check what is offered when you reserve or arrive. Do not assume every add-on will be open at the time you want.

There is one practical wrinkle here. The museum may require you to convert or confirm your CityPASS admission at a separate ticket desk, and that can mean waiting in a line even when other attractions accept a direct mobile scan. Build in extra time, especially during a busy part of the day.

Top of the Rock and the Midtown view

Top of the Rock is one of the three attractions you may choose. General admission takes you to the observation deck at Rockefeller Center, where the view includes the Empire State Building and a broad sweep of Midtown.

This is a strong companion to the Empire State Building because the two viewpoints show New York from different angles. From Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building becomes part of the view instead of blocking it. If clear weather matters to you, reserve with some flexibility. A poor forecast can make an expensive observation deck less rewarding, and the app may allow you to adjust your time.

The pass only covers general admission. It does not promise special access or an upgraded experience. Still, for a first New York visit, this is one of the most useful choices in the group, particularly if you want two classic skyline perspectives.

Statue City Cruises to Liberty and Ellis Islands

Statue City Cruises gives you ferry access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The included ticket covers one ferry ride to and from the islands, audio guides, and admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

This is more than a quick photo stop. The ferry gives you open views of the harbor, while the two islands provide context about the Statue of Liberty and immigration to the United States. Plan this as a larger outing rather than a short attraction between two Midtown appointments.

The main limitation is important: Crown Tickets and Pedestal Access are not included. If standing inside the crown or going up to the pedestal is central to your plans, you need to arrange that separately. The CityPASS option remains useful for the ferry, museums, and island access, but it is not a complete substitute for every Statue of Liberty ticket type.

Cold weather can also change the appeal of a boat trip. On a winter visit, bring warm, comfortable clothing and allow for conditions on the water. If you are visiting in a short period, reserve early so this longer outing does not get pushed aside.

Circle Line cruises and the changing city view

The Circle Line choice includes one regularly scheduled cruise. Depending on the current schedule, you may select a Landmarks Cruise, Liberty Midtown Cruise, Liberty Super Express Cruise, or Statue at Sunset Cruise.

The exact cruise matters, so check the schedule before choosing. A shorter express outing may suit a tight day, while a sunset cruise can turn the pass into one of the most memorable parts of your visit. A Circle Line guide named David has been praised for making a Statue of Liberty cruise informative and well organized.

A cruise is also a good way to rest your feet while still seeing a large part of the city. It does not replace walking through neighborhoods, but it gives you a different view of the skyline and harbor. Keep in mind that schedules can change, and the current options are listed through Circle Line.

You must choose between Circle Line and Statue City Cruises if you want both. The first is a sightseeing cruise with a scheduled route. The second takes you to the islands and includes the island museums.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum offers general admission and is one of the more serious choices in the pass. The memorial grounds provide a quiet place to pause, while the museum presents the events and human impact of September 11.

This is not a light sightseeing stop, and you should allow time to process what you see. It works well on a day centered around Lower Manhattan, perhaps alongside the Statue City Cruises option if your schedule allows, though the two experiences can make for a long day.

The CityPASS removes the need to buy a separate general admission ticket, but you still need to follow the reservation instructions in the app when required. If you prefer museums with a solemn and reflective tone, this may be one of your best three choices.

Intrepid Museum on the Hudson

The Intrepid Museum includes general admission to the former aircraft carrier Intrepid, the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the submarine Growler, the immersive Kamikaze experience, and temporary exhibitions.

This is a particularly good pick if you enjoy aircraft, ships, engineering, or military technology. It also gives you a change of pace from art museums and observation decks. You can spend a substantial part of the day here, so avoid squeezing it between two tightly timed reservations.

Temporary exhibitions are included, but their availability can change. The museum is wheelchair accessible, as is the CityPASS experience overall, though you should confirm any attraction-specific access details when planning.

Guggenheim Museum and modern design

The Guggenheim Museum includes general admission to its collection and special exhibitions. The building itself is part of the experience, with a distinctive spiral interior designed for viewing art along a continuous route.

Your admission also includes access to a free daily architecture tour and a digital guide with content in multiple languages, accessed on your own mobile device. That makes the Guggenheim a good choice if you want more than a quick look at the galleries.

The museum may appeal less if your main goal is outdoor sightseeing or famous city views. It also occupies one of the three optional slots, so compare it with Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Museum, Intrepid, and the two boat options before committing.

Does $154 deliver good value?

The pass costs $154 per person and advertises savings of up to 41%. The exact value depends on how many included attractions you actually visit and which three optional choices you make.

If you use all five admissions, the arithmetic is favorable. You are also paying for convenience: one purchase, mobile tickets, reservation support, and a nine-day window. The ability to shift some appointments can save you from wasting a ticket when weather or fatigue changes your plans.

The value is weaker if you would skip the Empire State Building or Natural History Museum. Since both are required, you should count them as part of your real itinerary, not as optional savings. The pass also will not cover transport, meals, or special Statue of Liberty Crown and Pedestal access.

For a short first visit, the pass works particularly well because it gives your days some structure. For a longer stay, nine days provide enough time to use the pass without turning every day into a checklist. You still need to plan neighborhoods sensibly, since New York’s attractions are spread across Manhattan and beyond.

Planning a practical five-attraction schedule

Start by reserving the attractions that require time slots. Observation decks and cruises are the most weather and schedule sensitive, while museums usually give you more freedom. If possible, place the Empire State Building on a clear day so both the daytime and evening visits feel worthwhile.

Use the app to group nearby stops. You could pair a Midtown observation deck with the Empire State Building on separate days, or combine a Lower Manhattan museum visit with ferry planning if the times work. Do not forget that transportation is not included, so allow time and budget for getting between attractions.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. A small daypack and packed lunch can help on a long museum or island day, though food and drink are not part of the pass. New York rewards a flexible plan, so leave breathing room instead of booking every hour.

The pass is wheelchair accessible, but each attraction has its own layout and procedures. Check the attraction details in advance if you need specific access information.

Who should buy CityPASS?

I would recommend it most strongly to a first-time New York visitor who wants several major sights and is willing to use all five admissions. Families and couples can also benefit from having tickets together in the app, while the nine-day validity helps spread out the cost and activity level.

It is less suitable for someone who prefers small museums, neighborhood walks, or a very loose schedule. It is also not ideal if you have already visited the Empire State Building and do not want to return.

The pass offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which can help if your plans are still taking shape. Child ticket rules need care: some children who receive an infant free ticket may still need separate admission or reservations at certain attractions.

Should you book the New York CityPASS?

Book it if you want the Empire State Building, Natural History Museum, and at least three of the optional attractions. The strongest combinations are often Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, one boat option, the 9/11 Museum or Intrepid, and Natural History Museum.

Skip it if the fixed attractions do not interest you, or if you plan to visit only one or two sights. Before paying, open the app details, check reservation requirements, and confirm that your preferred cruise or museum add-on is available.

For most first visits built around major New York landmarks, CityPASS is a practical money saver with useful flexibility. Just treat it as a planning tool, not a free pass to every city attraction.

FAQ

How long is the New York CityPASS valid?

It is valid for nine consecutive days, beginning with the first day you use it at an attraction.

How many attractions are included?

The pass includes admission to five attractions. The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are fixed, and you choose three more from the listed options.

What attractions are fixed in the pass?

The fixed attractions are the Empire State Building Observatory AM/PM Experience and the American Museum of Natural History.

Can I visit the Empire State Building twice?

Yes. The pass includes daytime admission and bonus same-night general admission on the same day.

Does Statue City Cruises include Crown Tickets?

No. The ferry option includes ferry access, audio guides, and admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, but Crown Tickets and Pedestal Access are not included.

Do I need the CityPASS app?

You should download the My CityPASS app or use my.citypass.com to access your tickets, make reservations when needed, and view attraction details. The booking voucher is not always the final mobile ticket.

Can I cancel the purchase?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.